Chongqing - Chongqing will host the 20th Meeting of the Chongqing Mayor's International Economic Advisory Council (CMIA) on September 22-23, bringing together global business leaders to discuss innovation, technology cooperation, and new opportunities for international economic engagement.
The cityscape of Chongqing. (Photo/Chongqing Liangjiang New Area)
The meeting brought together Chongqing officials and corporate executives to discuss international cooperation and innovation-driven development. Over 19 previous sessions, the council has attracted 69 corporate members and 137 advisers from 15 countries, covering sectors including manufacturing, information technology and biomedicine.
The upcoming meeting will feature 32 council members from 11 countries, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Singapore. Participants represent 16 Fortune 500 companies and 16 industry-leading enterprises across manufacturing, technology and trade sectors.
According to the organizers, this year’s meeting is themed “Pooling Global Innovation Resources and Expanding Scientific and Technological Cooperation.” A total of 26 attendees hold positions at the level of global vice president or above, marking the highest level of participation in the past five years.
New members bring automotive expertise
The meeting comes as Chongqing focuses on strengthening its role as an innovation and international cooperation hub during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).
It will explore how to connect global innovation resources with Chongqing’s priority industries, including intelligent connected NEVs, advanced manufacturing, the low-altitude economy and biomedicine.
This year’s council will welcome three new members: AUMOVIO Group, Lear Corporation and Vibracoustic. The companies bring expertise across key areas of automotive technology, including AUMOVIO’s braking systems, Lear’s vehicle seating and electronic systems, and Vibracoustic’s vibration control and noise reduction technologies.
The three companies work closely with major global automakers, and their business areas align with Chongqing's development of intelligent connected NEVs and electronic information industries.
Seres Super Factory in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area. (Photo/Wang Jiaxi)
For the first time, the meeting will feature a dedicated exhibition showcasing Chongqing's technological achievements. The exhibition will highlight projects related to the city's innovation strategy, including intelligent connected vehicles, advanced equipment manufacturing, and emerging technologies.
20 Years, 1,400 Ideas for Chongqing’s Future
Over nearly two decades, council members have provided recommendations on Chongqing's economic development while also contributing investment and industrial projects.
Council members have submitted nearly 1,400 policy recommendations, offering insights on issues including industrial upgrading, artificial intelligence and innovation development.
At the previous meeting, advisers submitted 22 papers focused on using artificial intelligence to support industrial development. Among them, suggestions from executives at companies including AT&S and Ford contributed ideas for data infrastructure development and intelligent manufacturing transformation, according to organizers.
The council has also supported the expansion of international companies in Chongqing.
Companies including AT&S, SK Hynix and HP have established major projects in the city's electronics and semiconductor industries. Ford and Adient have participated in the development of Chongqing's automotive industry chain, while Siemens, Schneider Electric and other companies have contributed to manufacturing upgrades.
Other members, including companies in consumer goods, environmental protection and new materials, have also expanded their presence in Chongqing.
According to official data, council member companies have invested more than $100 billion in Chongqing, generated more than 2 trillion yuan (about 298 billion U.S. dollars) in import and export value, and supported more than 700,000 jobs.